The 700 is the flagship of Bertram’s line of well-known yachts. This yacht offers ARG as optional equipment, or Anti-roll Gyros for a sea taming experience making it much easier to enjoy your time on-board in what would be most uncomfortable conditions otherwise. Combined with the deep-V hull design they pioneered decades ago, the 700 is available in a flybridge or enclosed bridge convertible design.

Besides offering the ARGs, the 700 also sports many of Bertram’s innovations. The new salon layout improves storage and the African Mahogany is simply elegant. In the galley you will enjoy the convenience of appliances from Sub-Zero and Fisher & Paykel. The 700’s many standard and optional features mean you have the well known design and ride of Bertram with the latest in technological conveniences at hand.

Key Features

Solid fiberglass hull bottom

High-density foam construction

Twin watercooled diesel engines

270 sq. ft. cockpit

2,008- gallon fuel tank

African Mahogany cabinetry and carpeting

Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer units

Specifications

Bertram 700 (2009-) Specifications

Length Overall

74' 2''

Dry Weight

116,404 lbs.

Beam

18' 8''

Tested Weight

N/A

Draft

6' 0''

Fuel Cap

2,008 gal.

Deadrise/Transom

N/A

Water Cap

350 gal.

Max Headroom

N/A

Bridge Clearance

18' 4''

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

Bertram 700 (2009-) Captain's Report

Bertram 700

By Capt. Rob Smith

After seeing the 700 on the production line months ago, I was eager to get to New York and test it on the Hudson River. Besides the fun of getting to ride around on Bertram’s new flagship, I drove her right up to the Statue of Liberty, or at least to the edge of the protective zone around her. Coincidentally, Bertram introduced their first 31 to the world in 1961 at a boat show in New York. Forty-eight years of experience means that Bertram is known around the world for producing battlewagons for blue water fishing and delivering great rides and comfort for the crews. Bertram has been an innovator, and they have brought deep-V hulls, Anti Roll Gyros, spiral staircases to the bridge, centerline fuel tanks, backing stations and more to sport fishing.

This new flagship has two design options. I tested the convertible with an optional tuna tower. The other optional layout has an enclosed bridge that will be quite nice for more cruising and less fishing, or if you will be doing a lot of fishing in areas that would necessitate an escape to controlled climate. Bertram offers two salon layouts, A and B, and from those you can choose to have an added side chair or handy wet bar. I tested the B layout with side chair. The B layout also has the galley arranged along the port wall and straight out to midline, whereas the A layout has it angled off the port wall toward midline.

As you approach the 700, you can’t help but notice the frameless windows and port lights. The salon is bathed in natural light and the master stateroom has an amazing view of the world from wave top level. These windows and portal lights are designed by Advanced Yacht Technologies. They are a sandwich of 2 layers of 1½” tempered glass that is integrated into the hull and designed to be stronger than the fiberglass itself.

Cockpit fighting room

Crossing the wide teak covered gunwales into the cockpit, you are immediately struck with the size of the fighting room. There’s 270 square feet of room to be exact. The deck is reinforced for fighting chairs or you can leave it open. Shore power connections are behind doors on either side. Glendinning power reels are standard. The transom fish box drains overboard and the fishbox in the sole is removable and outfitted with a macerator. The starboard side transom gate and door is wide enough to get through with dive gear or to haul your catch into the cockpit. The deep cockpit guttering system surrounds the cockpit and immediately whisks any water out through three scuppers. A few steps up from the cockpit there is room for your fan club with mezzanine seating at the perfect height to watch as the marlin breaks the water. Between the cockpit and the mezzanine seating are a freezer, storage, engine room entrance and another storage box.

Flying into the bridge

Even in some of the ugliest weather, getting up to the bridge deck is going to be safer on the 700 due to one of their own innovations; the spiral fiberglass staircase from the mezzanine deck to the open flying bridge. I found this much nicer than the open style or fire ladder style that you can slip off and find yourself flopping on the deck like a wounded carp. At the helm is another innovation from Bertram, the motorized helm station that tips the electronics either down to stow, or up to the perfect angle for use. This test boat had all the possible gear and I only had one screen that was a little harder to see over to the far port side. I was impressed with the room around the two captain’s chairs, which is usually a squeeze for me. Forward of the helm was a huge area with bench seating and lots of storage. Visibility was better than most flying bridges with hard tops and towers that I have seen. The isinglass zippers were conveniently arranged to meet the structure in order to limit obstructions to visibility. When backing down, you have a clear view aft the stern as well as much of the action in the cockpit. Safety is obviously a big consideration in the engineering on this battlewagon.

Peering over the forward deck underway, I can appreciate the deep-V design of Bertram and the modified strakes that have the spray well aft, about at the center. We started with little fuel and then went over to the fuel docks for a safe margin of fuel. I didn’t notice a bit of difference in handling, showing one of the benefits of a midship fuel tank. As fuel is consumed it produces no trim effect on the boat. Along with the deep V her sheer heft slices through waves and wakes.

Time for a break

When you have finished for the day and are ready to relax, you will be ensconced in thickly cushioned seating, surrounded by African Mahogany woods and a bright interior. The entertainment center can replay the action caught on your camcorders and spread it out on the 42” screen with Bose Surround Sound. The low rumble of the beefy 16 cylinder MAN engines is softened by the acoustical padding for the carpeting under your feet. One step up is the dining area on starboard and the fully equipped galley to port. The test boat galley had the straight aft counter that really maximized prep space and serving space. The solid surface counters were just beautiful. The convection/microwave oven is behind hide-away doors above the four burner cooktop. I was surprised though not to find sea rails or some method of securing pots and pans when cooking underway. To the left of the oven was a GE trash compactor; under the port side sink was a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher; to the left of that were two Sub-Zero drawer freezer units and under the aft counter were four Sub-Zero refrigeration units. With these standard and optional galley tools, you can have a blast cooking up a meal around a tuna you just caught that day. Four people can very comfortably sit around the dining table, and a fifth can still join without cramming everyone.

Overnight

The Bertram 700 sports a four stateroom layout. Each stateroom has its own full head. The port side stateroom’s head doubles as the day head for everyone. This port side stateroom had twin bunk beds. Across from it were two single beds side-by-side, and forward was the forward stateroom with queen island style berth, storage shelves and a cedar lined closet.

The real standout is the master stateroom. On either side, you get a wonderful view of the world from wave-top level. These are the Advanced Yacht Technology port lights, and Bertram tells me that the hull will give way before these windows on the world will. Every square inch of exposed surfaces on the bulkheads and cabin top are covered for a clean finish, and exquisite wood dressers and shelving grace the port and starboard sides along with a bedside table on each side. On the starboard forward corner is a cedar lined step-in closet large enough to stow your hanging clothes for the yacht club and your luggage that you brought aboard so you could go straight from the airport to fishing. The head has solid surface counter with twin basins so you and your first mate can prepare for the day. The full shower has a bi-fold clear separating door.

The Details

The Bertram 700 has a solid fiberglass hull with cored reinforcement above the water line and the superstructure. The stringers are closed cell foam that is glassed into the hull for strength and rigidity. The 700 has Maxguard gelcoat, vinyl ester resin skin coat on the hull bottom for blister resistance and Awlgrip is applied to all the non-skid surfaces. The 700 displaces 116,404 lbs. and has a fuel capacity of 2,008 gallons. She measures 74’2” length overall with the integrated bow pulpit and has a beam of 18’8” that Bertram takes full advantage of in the salon and master stateroom. Standard engine package is twin MTU 12V, Series 2000, 1825-hp. We tested with the optional twin MTU 16V, Series 2000, 2200-hp engines and Mitsubishi ARGs that are said to reduce roll by up to 50%.

Bertram 700 (2009-) Test Result Highlights

Best cruise for the Bertram 700 (2009-) is 29.9 mph (48.1 kph), and the boat gets 0.22 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.09 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 391 miles (629.25 kilometers).

Bertram 700 (2009-) Warranty

Bertram 700 (2009-) Warranty Information

Warranties change from time to time. While BoatTEST.com has tried to ensure the most up-to-date warranty offered by each builder, it does not guarantee the accuracies of the information presented below. Please check with the boat builder or your local dealer before you buy any boat.

Full Warranty Information on this brand coming soon!

Bertram 700 (2009-) Price

Bertram 700 (2009-) Price

Pricing Range

$3,989,000.00

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.